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noun HSK 5
jīng lì
energy · vigor · vitality

Meaning

精力 refers to a person's mental and physical energy or stamina. It describes the capacity to do work, focus, or engage in activities. Unlike 力气 (physical strength alone), 精力 emphasizes both mental alertness and physical vitality combined.

Usage

Commonly used to describe having enough (or lacking) energy for tasks, especially mental work or sustained effort. Often appears with verbs like 有 (to have), 花 (to spend), 浪费 (to waste), or 集中 (to concentrate). Neutral register, used in both spoken and written contexts.

Examples

  1. 01
    我现在没有精力处理这件事。
    Wǒ xiàn zài méi yǒu jīng lì chǔ lǐ zhè jiàn shì.
    I don't have the energy to deal with this matter right now.
  2. 02
    他把全部精力都投入到工作中。
    Tā bǎ quán bù jīng lì dōu tóu rù dào gōng zuò zhōng.
    He devoted all his energy to his work.

Characters

Common collocations

  • 集中精力
    jí zhōng jīng lì
    to concentrate one's energy
  • 花精力
    huā jīng lì
    to spend energy
  • 精力充沛
    jīng lì chōng pèi
    energetic, full of vigor
  • 浪费精力
    làng fèi jīng lì
    to waste energy

Antonyms

Origin

Combines 精 (essence, vitality) with 力 (strength, power) to create the sense of refined or vital energy.

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